Ronald Clifton Zerbe, 72, of 8 Linwood Street, Warren, Pa., died on Monday, February 9, 2009 at his home, after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Zerbe was born April 26, 1936 in Warren, the son of the late Clarence and Mary Clifton Zerbe. He was a 1955 graduate of Warren High School. Following graduation he was a voice student of Bryon Swanson at the Warren Conservatory and performed with the Pennsylvania Singing Boys. He also sang in several local church choirs. He was employed by Brown's Boot Shop, Betty Lee Shoe Department, and Loranger's Manufacturing.
He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1966, with a B.A. in Bible Theology. While in Chicago, he studied voice with Wilfred Burton and toured with the Moody Chorale and was a tenor soloist in Moody Bible Institute musical productions. He was employed by the WMBI radio station as a vocalist in their musical programming.
He received a B.S. in History Education from Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. While at Greenville, he toured with the A Cappella Choir and was a tenor soloist in college theatrical productions. Following graduation he taught in Phoenix, Ariz. public schools and at Phoenix Christian High School. He sang with the Bethany Bible Church Choir in Phoenix.
He returned to Warren in 1969 to take a teaching position at Beaty School, where he taught for 25 years, before retiring in 1994 because of illness. He served as a department head and on various task forces for the school district. He truly loved classroom teaching as well as his many years of coaching track. He also loved playing basketball and was a fan of WAHS teams.
A lifelong learner, he completed graduate work in the areas of education, communications, and library science, studying at the University of Pittsburgh and Clarion University. He received the ME and MSLS degrees.
A committed Christian, Mr. Zerbe was a licensed preacher and served as pulpit supply, interim pastor, and tenor soloist in Warren area churches for many years. He was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Starbrick for over 40 years, serving as vice chairman, deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir director. He also served as member and Board chairman of the local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Mr. Zerbe was noted for his artistic ability, expressed through photography and wood carving. With family and friends, he enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling and traveling throughout the US and Europe. He was a former member of the Warren Art League, the Warren Camera Club, the Warren Academy of Social Sciences and the Warren Historical Society.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Pheifer Zerbe, whom he married on January 27, 1968 in Fond du Lac, Wis.; a sister, Priscella Zerbe Shank, Warren; two nieces, Mrs. Claire (Patricia) Huda, Tampa, Fla. and Mrs. Bill (Barbara) Johnson, McMinnville, Tenn.; an uncle and aunt, Howard and Charlotte Clifton, Warren; an aunt, Anna Clifton, Warren; a brotherinlaw, Myron Pheifer; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. John (Pauline) Glady in 1999.
Throughout his years of declining health, he maintained a positive attitude, his legendary sense of humor, and his focus on the needs of others.
Friends will be received at the First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, PA, for one hour prior to a Celebration of Life Service to be held there on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to the church fellowship hall after the service.
The family suggests memorial donations for student tuition assistance to Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or to a charity of choice.
[Warren Times-Observer, Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania, 10 Feb 2009]
Mr. Zerbe was born April 26, 1936 in Warren, the son of the late Clarence and Mary Clifton Zerbe. He was a 1955 graduate of Warren High School. Following graduation he was a voice student of Bryon Swanson at the Warren Conservatory and performed with the Pennsylvania Singing Boys. He also sang in several local church choirs. He was employed by Brown's Boot Shop, Betty Lee Shoe Department, and Loranger's Manufacturing.
He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1966, with a B.A. in Bible Theology. While in Chicago, he studied voice with Wilfred Burton and toured with the Moody Chorale and was a tenor soloist in Moody Bible Institute musical productions. He was employed by the WMBI radio station as a vocalist in their musical programming.
He received a B.S. in History Education from Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. While at Greenville, he toured with the A Cappella Choir and was a tenor soloist in college theatrical productions. Following graduation he taught in Phoenix, Ariz. public schools and at Phoenix Christian High School. He sang with the Bethany Bible Church Choir in Phoenix.
He returned to Warren in 1969 to take a teaching position at Beaty School, where he taught for 25 years, before retiring in 1994 because of illness. He served as a department head and on various task forces for the school district. He truly loved classroom teaching as well as his many years of coaching track. He also loved playing basketball and was a fan of WAHS teams.
A lifelong learner, he completed graduate work in the areas of education, communications, and library science, studying at the University of Pittsburgh and Clarion University. He received the ME and MSLS degrees.
A committed Christian, Mr. Zerbe was a licensed preacher and served as pulpit supply, interim pastor, and tenor soloist in Warren area churches for many years. He was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Starbrick for over 40 years, serving as vice chairman, deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir director. He also served as member and Board chairman of the local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Mr. Zerbe was noted for his artistic ability, expressed through photography and wood carving. With family and friends, he enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling and traveling throughout the US and Europe. He was a former member of the Warren Art League, the Warren Camera Club, the Warren Academy of Social Sciences and the Warren Historical Society.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Pheifer Zerbe, whom he married on January 27, 1968 in Fond du Lac, Wis.; a sister, Priscella Zerbe Shank, Warren; two nieces, Mrs. Claire (Patricia) Huda, Tampa, Fla. and Mrs. Bill (Barbara) Johnson, McMinnville, Tenn.; an uncle and aunt, Howard and Charlotte Clifton, Warren; an aunt, Anna Clifton, Warren; a brotherinlaw, Myron Pheifer; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. John (Pauline) Glady in 1999.
Throughout his years of declining health, he maintained a positive attitude, his legendary sense of humor, and his focus on the needs of others.
Friends will be received at the First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, PA, for one hour prior to a Celebration of Life Service to be held there on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to the church fellowship hall after the service.
The family suggests memorial donations for student tuition assistance to Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or to a charity of choice.
[Warren Times-Observer, Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania, 10 Feb 2009]
Ronald Clifton Zerbe, 72, of 8 Linwood Street, Warren, Pa., died on Monday, February 9, 2009 at his home, after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Zerbe was born April 26, 1936 in Warren, the son of the late Clarence and Mary Clifton Zerbe. He was a 1955 graduate of Warren High School. Following graduation he was a voice student of Bryon Swanson at the Warren Conservatory and performed with the Pennsylvania Singing Boys. He also sang in several local church choirs. He was employed by Brown's Boot Shop, Betty Lee Shoe Department, and Loranger's Manufacturing.
He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1966, with a B.A. in Bible Theology. While in Chicago, he studied voice with Wilfred Burton and toured with the Moody Chorale and was a tenor soloist in Moody Bible Institute musical productions. He was employed by the WMBI radio station as a vocalist in their musical programming.
He received a B.S. in History Education from Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. While at Greenville, he toured with the A Cappella Choir and was a tenor soloist in college theatrical productions. Following graduation he taught in Phoenix, Ariz. public schools and at Phoenix Christian High School. He sang with the Bethany Bible Church Choir in Phoenix.
He returned to Warren in 1969 to take a teaching position at Beaty School, where he taught for 25 years, before retiring in 1994 because of illness. He served as a department head and on various task forces for the school district. He truly loved classroom teaching as well as his many years of coaching track. He also loved playing basketball and was a fan of WAHS teams.
A lifelong learner, he completed graduate work in the areas of education, communications, and library science, studying at the University of Pittsburgh and Clarion University. He received the ME and MSLS degrees.
A committed Christian, Mr. Zerbe was a licensed preacher and served as pulpit supply, interim pastor, and tenor soloist in Warren area churches for many years. He was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Starbrick for over 40 years, serving as vice chairman, deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir director. He also served as member and Board chairman of the local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Mr. Zerbe was noted for his artistic ability, expressed through photography and wood carving. With family and friends, he enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling and traveling throughout the US and Europe. He was a former member of the Warren Art League, the Warren Camera Club, the Warren Academy of Social Sciences and the Warren Historical Society.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Pheifer Zerbe, whom he married on January 27, 1968 in Fond du Lac, Wis.; a sister, Priscella Zerbe Shank, Warren; two nieces, Mrs. Claire (Patricia) Huda, Tampa, Fla. and Mrs. Bill (Barbara) Johnson, McMinnville, Tenn.; an uncle and aunt, Howard and Charlotte Clifton, Warren; an aunt, Anna Clifton, Warren; a brotherinlaw, Myron Pheifer; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. John (Pauline) Glady in 1999.
Throughout his years of declining health, he maintained a positive attitude, his legendary sense of humor, and his focus on the needs of others.
Friends will be received at the First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, PA, for one hour prior to a Celebration of Life Service to be held there on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to the church fellowship hall after the service.
The family suggests memorial donations for student tuition assistance to Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or to a charity of choice.
[Warren Times-Observer, Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania, 10 Feb 2009]
Mr. Zerbe was born April 26, 1936 in Warren, the son of the late Clarence and Mary Clifton Zerbe. He was a 1955 graduate of Warren High School. Following graduation he was a voice student of Bryon Swanson at the Warren Conservatory and performed with the Pennsylvania Singing Boys. He also sang in several local church choirs. He was employed by Brown's Boot Shop, Betty Lee Shoe Department, and Loranger's Manufacturing.
He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1966, with a B.A. in Bible Theology. While in Chicago, he studied voice with Wilfred Burton and toured with the Moody Chorale and was a tenor soloist in Moody Bible Institute musical productions. He was employed by the WMBI radio station as a vocalist in their musical programming.
He received a B.S. in History Education from Greenville College, Greenville, Ill. While at Greenville, he toured with the A Cappella Choir and was a tenor soloist in college theatrical productions. Following graduation he taught in Phoenix, Ariz. public schools and at Phoenix Christian High School. He sang with the Bethany Bible Church Choir in Phoenix.
He returned to Warren in 1969 to take a teaching position at Beaty School, where he taught for 25 years, before retiring in 1994 because of illness. He served as a department head and on various task forces for the school district. He truly loved classroom teaching as well as his many years of coaching track. He also loved playing basketball and was a fan of WAHS teams.
A lifelong learner, he completed graduate work in the areas of education, communications, and library science, studying at the University of Pittsburgh and Clarion University. He received the ME and MSLS degrees.
A committed Christian, Mr. Zerbe was a licensed preacher and served as pulpit supply, interim pastor, and tenor soloist in Warren area churches for many years. He was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Starbrick for over 40 years, serving as vice chairman, deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir director. He also served as member and Board chairman of the local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Mr. Zerbe was noted for his artistic ability, expressed through photography and wood carving. With family and friends, he enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling and traveling throughout the US and Europe. He was a former member of the Warren Art League, the Warren Camera Club, the Warren Academy of Social Sciences and the Warren Historical Society.
He is survived by his wife, Grace Pheifer Zerbe, whom he married on January 27, 1968 in Fond du Lac, Wis.; a sister, Priscella Zerbe Shank, Warren; two nieces, Mrs. Claire (Patricia) Huda, Tampa, Fla. and Mrs. Bill (Barbara) Johnson, McMinnville, Tenn.; an uncle and aunt, Howard and Charlotte Clifton, Warren; an aunt, Anna Clifton, Warren; a brotherinlaw, Myron Pheifer; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. John (Pauline) Glady in 1999.
Throughout his years of declining health, he maintained a positive attitude, his legendary sense of humor, and his focus on the needs of others.
Friends will be received at the First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, PA, for one hour prior to a Celebration of Life Service to be held there on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to the church fellowship hall after the service.
The family suggests memorial donations for student tuition assistance to Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or to a charity of choice.
[Warren Times-Observer, Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania, 10 Feb 2009]
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
